California fires back at automakers over 2017-2025 mpg regulations

It seems as if the State of California and the auto industry are stuck in a tug-o-war over fuel efficiency and emission standards. A California Air Resources Board spokesman said today that a letter from the industry’s main trade group suggests “its intent to back away from its commitment to build the clean cars the nation needs.”

CARB has accused the industry of trying to slow efforts by both the federal government and the state of California to develop more stringent fuel-efficiency standards.

Automakers deny these accusations, and have expressed their desire to have the State of California continue to remains at the table as these national standards (which are supposed to be meshed with those of California) are developed.

The concerns voiced by the industry were that the preliminary plan may not accurately reflect costs to automakers, and perhaps also overstate fuel savings benefits to consumers. As of now, California is under an agreement with the federal government to not impose its own standards, but that agreement runs out in 2016.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has often clashed with California over emission standards, and has long been an advocate of a single national standard.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News